EXMOUTH has become the first Fairtrade Town in East Devon, joining over 450 others across the UK.

EXMOUTH has become the first Fairtrade Town in East Devon, joining over 450 others across the UK.

The independent UK Fairtrade Foundation endorsed their application at the first time of asking.

Shops and caf�s in Exmouth are selling more fairly-traded products than ever before and while the town council have committed to serve Fairtrade refreshments at official functions.

This award was welcomed by Exmouth Town Clerk John Wokersien who said: "This is great news for Exmouth.

"We live in turbulent times and it is new initiatives and new ways of thinking that have to be looked for us all to move forward.

"Working locally and thinking globally is key to changing the way we live and Fairtrade is just one of the ways of changing our perceptions of the way things work."

The 14-strong Exmouth steering group was started two years ago by Martin John Nicholls and Peter Brain and includes various organisations and people including town councillors, Jean Mitchell who chairs the group and John Humphreys.

Group secretary Peter Brain said: "Fairtrade basically does what it says on the tin; ensuring a fair price for producers who are often pressurised by large corporations for whom unfair trade is normal.

"Communities often use the 'Fairtrade premium' to build a clinic or school in their village."

The group is now working towards marking the national Fairtrade Fortnight (February 22 - March 7) when there will be Fairtrade tea parties around town and other promotional events.

Year 9 students at the Community College are exploring whether it could become a 'Fairtrade School'.

Lists of local Fairtrade suppliers and outlets plus other stuff at www.exmouthfairtrade.org.uk.